Plate counter and stacker



Jan. 13, 1953 R, WELLS 2,625,329

PLATE: COUNTER AND STACKER Filed Jan. s, 1951 5 sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 13, 1953 R. WELLS 2,625,329

PLATE COUNTER AND STACKER Filed Jan. 5, 1951 5 sheetsheet 2 'n Q B w MMM Jan. 13, 1953 R. waLLs 2,625,329

PLATE COUNTER AND STACKER Filed Jan. 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 TUSIZ f5 l/ Jan. 13, 1953 R. WELLS PLATE COUNTER AND STACKER 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 5 1951 gli? 711:5 H {16o/freer@ MMM' Jan. 13, 1953 R, WELLS 2,625,329

PLATE COUNTER AND STACKER Filed Jan. 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Figs. 55

1N VE NTOR ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 13, 1953 2,625,329 PLATE COUNTER AND STACKER Roger Wells, Plattsburg, N. Y., assigner to The Diamond Match Company, New York, N. Y., a

corporation of Delaware Application January 3, 1951, Serial No. 204,229

The present invention relates to a plate counter and stacker.

More particularly the present invention relates to a device for assembling and counting plates which may be formed of stili paper or molded pulp.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a device for receiving plates usually of molded pulp from a pulp molding machine and/or drier, assembling the plates in a stack or stacks composed of a predetermined number of plates and periodically discharging the stacks for lfurther handling or packaging.

A second object of the present invention is to provide in a device of the character described a counting mechanism associated with a movable portion of a molding machine or a plateforming machine, the portion being moved in synchronism with plate formation so that the number of plates being formed and discharged from the machine are counted so that the plates may be segregated in suitable quantities for packaging.

A third object of the present invention is to provide in a device of the character described a movable plate accumulating means effectiveto move and discharge the accumulated plates after the accumulation of a predetermined number thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide in association with a movable plate accumulation means suitable positive latching means for preventing the movement of the plate accumulating means until a predetermined number of plates have been assembled.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and figures ofA the drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a plan view of the counter and stacker of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken generally along the line 12 Claims. (Cl. 235-98) 2 with the accumulator platform in the horizontal or latched position;

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective of the accumulator platform and certain of the associated parts of the machine;

Fig. 8 is a detail section partially diagrammatic illustrating the position of the accumulator platform after the plates have been discharged and the platform has returned to its normal position.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the accumulator platform in the same position as in Fig. 8, and the latch in position to engage the edge of the platform frame; and

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Figs. 8 and 9 showing the position of the accumulator platform when a sufficient number of plates have been deposited to balance the Weighted end thereof and to move the weighted end up into engagement with the latch.

Referring to the figures of the drawing and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, a turntable I0 is shown which normally forms part of a pulp molding machine and functions to convey and discharge finished plates therefrom. As shown, the turntable I0 normally moves in the direction of the arrows I I in stepwise fashion so that it pauses in the position shown. A suction arm I2 is provided which is also part of the plate machine assembly and which moves from the position shown in dotted lines to the full-line position of Fig. l. The suction arm I2 is also capable of upward and downward motion so that after it moves to the dotted-line position it moves downwardly to engage the plates on the turntable Ill. Suction is then applied through the conduits I3 and I4 and the plates are lifted with the suction arm and move to the full-line position where the suction is terminated and the plates dropped. The suction arm I2 therefore functions as a conveying means for moving the plates between the two positions indicated. The turntable I@ and the suction arm I2 are of the type generally ndicated and disclosed in United States Reissue Patent No. 19,856, February 18, 1936, to R. W. Chapman and per se forms no part of the present invention. It will be noted that the arm I2 moves upwardly and downwardly with a shaft I5 which is suitably journalled for rotation and upward and downward motion in the bearing I6, the shaft I5 being rotated and reciprocated by a mechanism of the type disclosed in the aforementioned patent.

Fixed to the shaft I5 is a pin I1, best shown in Fig. 3,v which rotates in the direction of the arrow I8 and also reciprocates upwardly and downwardly with the shaft l5. When the arm I2 therefore is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. i and then moves downwardly to pick up plates, the pin i1 will be rotated to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and then moved downwardly to engage a pusher I9 ordinarily spring-pressed upwardly by the spring 29.

Carried by the pusher I9 is a pawl 2l which, upon downward motion of the pusher I9 by the pin l1, engages one of the teeth of a counting ratchet wheel 22 so as to move the ratchet wheel the distance of one tooth. The bearing i6 is suitably supported from a vertically extending standard 23 and the pusher member I9 is also slidably mounted on one of the walls of the standard.

Extending from a wall of the standard 23 is a bracket 24 which serves to support, as by the member 25, the ratchet wheel 22. It will be understood that the ratchet wheel 22 is conventionally provided with suitable means, such as a spring or other common means, to prevent rotation except in response to the movement of the pawl 2l. Positioned adjacent the ratchet wheel 22 is a switch 23 provided with an actuating button 21. A cam member 23 is provided on one face of the ratchet wheel 22 for actuating the butf ton 21 when moved into contact therewith.

When the suction heads 30 and 3l are in the full-line position of Fig. 1 they are directly over a pair of baskets or guides 32 and 33, respectively, so that when the suction is terminated the plates indicated at 34 and 35 will be dropped into the baskets and guided thereby in their downward motion. Positioned beneath the lower end of the baskets is an accumulator platform, best shown in Figs. 6 and 7 and indicated in general by the reference numeral 35. The platform is mounted for pivotal movement upon a pivot 31 which is in turn supported at each of its ends by the members f 3B and 39 supported from a table 43 as by a pair of brackets l4l and 42. The brackets also serve t0 support one end of the angle irons 43 and 44 which are supported at their lower end by the legs 45 and 46. The angle irons 43 and 44 form a roller track for conveying segregated and nested plates and for this purpose are provided with a plurality of transversely extending shafts 41 having mounted thereon the rollers 48. The shafts 41 are also supported by a central bar 49. It will be noted that the basket members or guides 32 and 33 are supported at their outer ends on the members 38 and 39 and at their inner ends upon a portion 53 extending upwardly from the bar 49. At the lower end of the track formed by the angles '43 and 44 and the rollers just described, there is 'provided a bumper or stop 5| which serves to The table 4G, previously described, is supported by suitable legs, such as the leg 52, and is provided on its yupper surface with a pivoted latch member 53 which is pulled in a clockwise direction about its pivot 54 by a spring 55 having one end 3 connected to the latch and the otherend 51 connected to a pin 58 extending upwardly from the table 40. The latch 53 is provided with a shoulder -59 which engages the transverse end member 30 which connects the two sides of the accumulator platform or frame 35.

As shown in Fig. 7 the platform or frame 36 includes in addition to the cross member 60 the angle or side members 6l and 62 and the intermediate members 53 and 54, the members 53 and 54 together with the forward portions of the members 5| and 62 forming the platform for the support of the plates. At their forward end the members 5! and B3 are connected by a U-shaped member 65 and theV members 62 and 64 are similarly connected by the member 6B. The lower legs of the members 6|, 62, 63 and 54 are provided at their forward portions with notches 61 so that they move downwardly over the shafts 41 adjacent thereto to a substantial degree.

Referring in particular to Figs. 5 and 8-10, it

' will be noted that the pawl 53 is provided with a slot at its rear end 1B and pinned through this slot 19 at its rear end is an armature 1I movable into and out of the solenoid 12. The solenoid 12 is connected in a circuit with the switch 25 previously described so that when the switch 26 is actuated the solenoid 12 will be energized to draw the armature 1l inwardly and move the latch 53 in a counter-clockwise direction about its pivot 54 against the action of the spring into the position shown in Figs. 5 and 8.

Operation Referring in particular to Fig. 8, it will be noted that the accumulator platform 36 is nor mally so balanced that it tends to assume the position wherein its forward end is slightly above the horizontal and its lower end is slightly below the horizontal, this normal position being` produced by the weight of the angle member 63 which is sufficiently heavy to lift the forward end and cause normal rotation about the pivot 31 to the position shown in Fig. 8 when the plates are removed. In this position the angle member 69 rests against a stop 14. It Will be noted also that in this initial position the switch 26 has been moved to on position by the cam 28 to close a circuit to the solenoid 12 so that the latch 53 has been moved against the resistance of the spring 55 to unlatching or extreme counterclockwise position.

The arm I2 is operating between the two positions shown in Fig. l to intermittently take plates from the turntable i0 and discharge these plates over the baskets or guides 32 and 33 so that the plates are accumulated upon the platform 35. As shown in Fig. 9, three plates have been de.- posited and the counting ratchet wheel 22 has moved to the point where the switch 26 is in off position and the latch 53 has moved to the right so that the shoulder 59 thereof is above the angle 65. However, the weight of the three plates on the platform is not yet sufcient to counter balance the weight of the angle member B and the platform 36 remains in the position of Fig. 8. When, however, approximately ten plates have accumulated on the platform, as shown in Fig. l0, the weight of the plates will counterbalance the normal balance of the platform 35 and the platform will be moved in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 10 where the shoulder 59 of theV latch is firmly engaged with the angle member 63 to prevent further movement. At this time it'will be noted that the plates are held in an approximately horizontal position so that they become stacked vertically and above the upper surface 4of the rollers 48. Upon successive Amovement of the arm I2, more and more plates will be accumulated within the baskets and upon the platform 35 until a desired number is reached, as forexample 125, whereupon the counting wheel 22 will be moved to position where the cam 28 operates the push-button 21 of the switch 25. As herein;- before setY forth, each movementof the transfer armv I2 in a downward direction causes the pin H to engage the pusher member i9 to move the ratchet counting wheel 22 one tooth. A fter the nal plate making up the count is being picked up for deposit on the platform 35, the downward movement of the arm i2 to pick up the next plate or plates, i. e. the rst plates of the next counting operation, will move the ratchet wheel the final step to engage the cam 28 with the button 21 to close the switch 25. Upon closure of the switch the solenoid moves the latch 53 so that the latch is moved to unlatching position after the deposition of the final plate, as for example the' 125th plate. When the latch 53 is disengaged from the angle 6i?, the platform 35 swings in a. counter-clockwise direction about its pivot to the position shown in Fig. 5. The plates then contact the rollers 4S and move by gravity until they reach the bumper 5i where they may be removed by the operator for packaging purposes. As soon as the plates leave the platform S5, the platform starts to move, due to its balance, back to the position of Fig. 8 from the position shown in Fig. 5.

I claim:

1. A plate counting and stacking device cornprising, means for periodically feeding plates, plate accumulating` means pivotally positioned to receive plates from said iirst means in one posi tion and movable to a second position in response to the Weight of said plates to discharge said plates, latch means to prevent movement of said accumulating means to said second position, counting means for counting the number of plates fed to said accumulating means, and means responsive to predetermined movement of said counting means for moving said latch means and permitting the pivotal movement of said accumulatins means to discharge position.

2. A plate counting and stacking device comprising, means for periodically feeding plates, a conveyor means for receiving plates from said iirst means and conveying said plates to packaging position, plate accumulating means pivotally positioned to receive plates from said nrst means in one position and thereby preventing movement of said plates by said conveyor means, said plate accumulating means being movable to a second position in response to the weight of said plates to discharge said plates to said conveyor means, latch means to prevent movement of said accumulating means to said second position, counting means for counting the number of said plates fed to said accumulating means and means responsive to predetermined movement of said counting means for moving said latch means and permitting movement of said accumulating means to discharge position.

3. A plate counting and stacking device comprising, means for periodically feeding plates, a gravity conveyor means having its upper end positioned beneath said means for periodically feeding plates so as to receive plates therefrom, pivotally mounted plate accumulating means interposed between said first means and said conveyor means in one position to prevent deposition of plates upon said conveyor means by said first means, said plate accumulating means being movable to a second position in response to the Weight of said plates to permit movement of accumulated plates by said conveyor means, latch means to prevent movement of said accumulating means to said second position, counting means for counting the number of said plates fed to said accumulating means and means re- 6. sponsive to predetermined movement vof said counting means for moving said latch means and permitting movement of said accumulating means to said second position.

4. A plate counting and stacking device comprising, means for periodically feeding plates, a gravity roller way including a plurality of rolls having its upper end positioned beneath said feeding means, pivotally mounted plate accumulating means having 'a portion normally positioned above the rolls of said roller way to support said plates and prevent deposition of said plates upon said rolls by said feeding means, said portion being movable to a second position in response t0 the weight of said plates to allow movement of accumulated plates upon said rolls, latch means to prevent movement of said portion to said second position, counting means for counting the number of said plates fed to said accumulating means and means responsive to predetermined movement of said counting means for moving said latch means and permitting movement of said accumulating means to said second position.

5. A plate counting and stacking device comprising, means for periodically feeding plates, iivoted plate accumulating means positioned t0 receive plates from said first means when in horizontal position and rotatable to an inclined p0- sition in response to the weight of said plates to discharge said plates, latch means cooperating with accumulating means in horizontal position to prevent movement of said accumulating means to inclined position, counting means for counting the number of said plates fed to said accumulating means `and means responsive to predetermined movement of said counting means for moving said latch means and permitting movement of said accumulating means to inclined position.

6. A plate counting and stacking device comprising means for periodically feeding plates, an inclined conveyor having its upper end positioned beneath said feeding means to receive and convey plates therefrom, pivoted plate accumulating means positioned adjacent the upper end of said conveyor and movable to an inclined position below the plane of incline of said conveyor to permit move-ment of plates thereupon and also movable to a substantially horizontal position above the plane or incline of said conveyor to prevent movement of plates thereon and accumulate the same, latch means to prevent movement of said accumulating means to inclined position, counting means for counting the number of said plates fed to said accumulating means and means responsive to predetermined movement of said counting means for moving said latch means and permitting movement of said accumulating means to inclined position.

7. The plate counting and stacking device of claim 6 wherein means are provided for normally moving said plate accumulating means to horizontal position and the plate accumulating means is provided with a pivot so arranged that the weight of accumulated plates tends to move said accumulating means to inclined position.

8. A plate counting and stacking device comprising means for periodically feeding plates, plate accumulating means pivotally positioned to receive plates from said rst means in one position and movable to a second position in response to the weight of said plates to discharge said plates, latch means to prevent movement of said accumulating means to said second position,

.counting means `actuated by said rst mentioned ting movement of said accumulating means to' dischargeposition. d

9. A plate counting and stacking device comprising, means for periodically feeding plates, plate accumulating means pivotally positioned to receive plates from said first means in one position and movable in response to the weight of the plates to a second position to discharge said plates, guide means interposed between said first means and said plate laccumulating means to guide plates from said first means to said second means and ensure nesting thereof, latch means to prevent movement of said accumulating means to said second position, counting means for countingv the 'number of plates fed to said accumulating means and means responsive to predetermined movement of said counting means for moving vsaid latch means and permitting movement of said accumulating means to discharge position.

10. A plate counting and stacking device comprising, an intermittently rotatable turntable for conveying plates, a suction arm rotatable and vertically movable to remove plates from said turntable in one position of rotation and to drop said plates in -a second position of rotation, plate accumulating means positioned beneath the second position of said suction arm to receive plates therefrom in one of its positions and movable to a second position to discharge said plates, latch means to prevent movement of said accumulating .means to said second position, counting means for counting the number of said plates fed to said accumulating means, means responsive to vertical movement of said suction arm to actuate said counting means, and means responsive to predetermined movement of said counting means for moving said latch means and permit- 11. A plate counting and stacking device comprising,

an inclined conveyor, plate feedingV meansfor feeding plates to the upper end of said Y conveyor, a plate accumulating means pivotally inclination of said conveyor, to a second position in response to the weight of said plates wherein it is substantially horizontal and said end is above the plane of said conveyor so as to retain and accumulate plates and also rotatable to a third position wherein the aforementioned end is above the position occupied in said second position and the end remote from said iirst end is below the position occupied in said second position, and latch means for retaining said accumulating means in said second position. l

l2. A plate counting and stacking device comprising, an inclined conveyor, plateV feeding means for feeding plates to the upper end of said conveyor, a plate accumulating means pivotally positioned adjacent the upper end of said conveyor and rotatable to a first position wherein one of its ends is positioned below the plane of inclination of said conveyor, to a second position in response to the weight of said plates wherein it is substantially horizontal and said end is above the plane of said conveyor so as to retain and accumulate plates and also rotatable to a third position wherein the aforementioned end is above the position occupied in said second position and the end remote from said first end is below the position occupied in said second position, latch means for retaining said accumulating means in said second position, counting means for counting the number of plates fed to said conveyor, and means responsive to predetermined movement of said mounting means for moving said latch means and permitting move'- ment of said accumulating means from said second position to said rst position.

ROGER WELLS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 19,856 Chapman Feb. 18, 1936 1,435,353 Wanders Nov. 14, 1922 2,033,645 Parkhill Mar. 10, 1936 2,144,708 Rau Jan. 24, 1939 2,256,327 Parkes et al. Sept. 16, 1941 2,485,328 Spreker Oct. 18, 1949 2,502,906 Waters Apr. 4, 1950 2,521,724 Huntar Sept. 12, 1950 2,526,441 Whitmore et al Oct. 17, 1950 

